Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a crucial meeting of the Council of Ministers at Sewa Teerth in Delhi on Thursday amid growing global concerns over energy security and rising fuel prices.
The meeting—the first such gathering this year—will be attended by all Cabinet ministers, ministers of state with independent charge, and other ministers of state.
According to sources, discussions are expected to focus on the functioning of various ministries, key policy decisions and their outcomes, as well as future plans. The meeting also comes amid speculation over a possible Cabinet reshuffle.
Different aspects of government schemes and programmes, along with strategies to ensure their effective implementation, are also likely to be reviewed, PTI reported quoting sources.
With the ongoing West Asia crisis continuing to disrupt global energy supply chains and fuel inflation across several countries, including India, the prime minister is expected to direct ministries and departments to take steps aimed at minimising inconvenience to citizens.
India has already begun feeling the impact of the crisis, with several states reporting LPG shortages and petrol and diesel prices being increased twice over the past week.
Earlier, Modi had instructed all departments concerned to take every possible measure to ease difficulties faced by citizens and affected sectors. He had also appealed to people to contribute towards economic resilience by reducing dependence on imported fuel and adopting environmentally sustainable alternatives.
The prime minister urged citizens to use public transport, opt for carpooling, prefer railways for goods transportation, and increase the use of electric vehicles wherever possible.
The meeting comes a day after Modi concluded his five-nation tour covering the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. It also follows the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) strong performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam, as well as the return of an NDA government in Puducherry.
